Duplicating and affixing method



March 5, 19

57 E. A. JOHNSON DUPLICATING AND AFFIXING METHOD Filed Feb. 12, 1.953

United States Patent 2,7833 l r mmed Mar. 5,1957

This invention relates to improvements in duplicating and multiplyingrecords. More particularly the invention relates to a system wherein arecord is made in reverse characters with a duplicating or dissolvableink and reproduced therefrom as a mirror image on a clear surface.

It has been desired to adapt tabulating machines or key sorting systemsto the indexing of customer record cards, the labeling of packages andthe selection of cards for addressing of catalogs based upon thecustomer record, but prior systems have been of limited utility for anumber of reasons. If a punched tabulating card was employed forrecording transactions and addressing catalogs, there remained theproblems of affixing individual package labels and of applying theaddresses to the in dividual package labels from the same record over aprolonged period. A stencil window on the record card might be used forthe making of package labels but the messy accumulation of stencil inkon the tabulation card precludes its continued use in card indexing andtabulating machines. Furthermore, such a system also required aseparately typed address for identification, i. e., one on the stenciland one on the card proper because the inked stencil is not legible.

It is, therefore, an object of my invention to provide a system whichenables one to use a tabulating card for indexing, selecting andaddressing from a large group of master records and to providesimultaneously means for independently duplicating a portion of therecord. Another object of my invention is to provide a novel andimproved tabulating card adapted to include means for reproducing arecord independently of the selecting, indexing and tabulating system.An additional object is to provide a visual record on a tabulating orsortable card adapted to be duplicated Without mutilating the visual orpunched records.

A further object is to provide a method and means for convenientlyinterlineating, adding, or superposing characters and the like onrun-off copy of a master. Another object is to provide a method andmeans for simultaneously applying a record to a gummed sheet andmoistening the sheet for fixing to a base surface. An additional objectis to provide a novel base sheet or label adapted to be fixed to apackage or the like.

The above and other objects of my invention will become apparent fromthe following description taken with the accompanying drawing in which:

Figure l is a perspective view of one form of index card according to myinvention; and

Figure 2 is a plan view of another modification of my invention.

Briefly, in my invention an apparatus is used which comprises a fluidreservoir, means for discharging fluid rom said reservoir, a roller,means for movably mounting a roller adjacent the reservoir, wick meanscommunicating with said discharge means and adapted to deposit a uniformfilm of solvent fluid on the roller and means for imparting relativemovement between said roller and said wick. This device is portable andparticularly adaptable for making transfers from small, relatively rigidmasters to any clear surface. Thus, the device is adapted for use whereonly one or a few copies of a multiplicity of small masters such asindex cards, are to be made at frequent intervals. Moreover, theapparatus is unique in its class, it being of such proportions that itis readily portable and can be used on odd shapes and on surfacesordinarily inaccessible to prior duplicating devices. Suitable fluidsinclude methanol-acetone mixtures, light naphtha, chlorofluoromethanesand ethanes,

. such as trichloromonofluoromethane, and similar volatile fluids whichare solvents for duplicating ink.

According to my invention the tabulating index card includes means forrecording customer transactions which may be recorded by typing, writingor hand-punching the card. The card is preferably of stock used incontrolling business machines. The visual identification may be set upon one side of the master in positive permanent ink characters and inreverse soluble ink characters on the other. In the preferredembodiment, a transparent area is provided within which the record iswritten in duplicating ink reverse script, and being on a transparentarea the record is readily viewed as a positive character. Also benchmarks or reference lines on the base sheet can be clearly viewed fororienting the record or indicia to be transferred. These visual recordsand indicia provide means for identification and also provide means forreproducing the addresses or other record on package labels, invoices orthe like. At any time the card is withdrawn from the file, the addresscan be reproduced by the liquid duplicating process from the soluble inkimpression carried by the index card by the aid of the hand duplicator.

The tabulating index card with a key-punched record and a visual addresscan be made by an electrically operated typewriter which sets up the keypunch simultaneously with the typing of the record. The tabulating indexcard contains the custom'ers address, both key punched and typed, thetyped address being in reverse or negative characters in soluble ink inthe transparent area. It is contemplated that a conventional typewritercan be modified to reverse the direction of the carriage and the scripton the type heads reversed so that a duplicating ink ribbon can be usedto apply the mirror script directly. It should be understood, however,that the invention is not limited to any mechanical means for producingthe master record.

. As outlined above, one embodiment of my device cornprises a fluidreservoir, a wick, a roller and means for movably mounting the rollerand Wick so that the roller can be moistened selectively by fluid fromthe wick. The reservoir may be unitary with the roller mounting ordetachable therefrom. When operating the device, it is held to the workpiece or clear surface, the arrangement of elements enabling theoperator to pass a selectively moistened roller thereover. involvessimple hand operations after the reservoir has been filled with theduplicating fluid or ink solvent: (1) the apparatus is rolled over theclear surface with the wick in contact with the roller therebymoistening the surface of the roller which in turn transfers moisture toI the surface of the clear sheet; (2) the master to be duplicated (i.e., reverse characters printed in duplicating ink on the transparentmaster) is placed in contact with the moistened surface; and (3) theroller is drawn over the master with the roller out of contactwith thewick where-.

by the transfer of the ink characters to the moistened clear surface iselfected. Inasmuch as the duplicating fluid evaporates quickly from theroller, it is dry when passed over the master.

My method of duplicating punched record addresses Thus, .the handduplicator comprises forming a soluble ink master in mirror script on awindow in an index card whereby said characters can be read as positivecharacters when viewed through said window. Limited .moisture .isapplied in a uniform film by capillary flow on a roller to the upperface of a base sheet. The soluble characters carried by the transparentwindow areorientcd with reference to bench marks on said base sheet andthe oriented record is transferred to the base sheet.

Referring to the drawing, Figure 1 illustrates a form of an index cardadapted for use in accordance with my system. Basically the index cardcomprises a blank having a window .11 glazed with a durable transparentmaterial which is impermeable to the transfer fluid and resistant tocutting by type. The illustrated embodiment also includes punch marks orperforations 12 for sorting, but .longhand records may also be enteredupon the blank 10. Referring to the window 11, soluble ink charactersare placed on the remote surface so that characters are positive whenviewed through the window. One way to apply the mirror script solublecharacters is by means of 'a duplicating ink carbon paper. This may becarried by a flexible or tissue sheet such as flap 13 shown attached tothe blank 10 along the edge 14. Thus, a patch 15 of carbon paper can beremovably carried by the index blank, the active surface being disposedacross the window 11. Hence, when the address or other record isimprinted over the window, the corresponding mirror script character isapplied to the underside of the window 1i and a. transparent master isthereby produced. Although such transparent master has been described inconnection with an index card, it may be independent thereof. Thus, Icontemplate a transparent master which may be used for example incorrecting copies or adding characters to copies made from other andincomplete or incorrect master's. For this purpose a pencil-likemodification of the fiuid applicator may be provided for applying narrowswaths of fluid film on the clear sheet.

Figure 2 illustrates another embodiment of my invention wherein the card16 having window 17 is provided with a tab 18, punched record 19 andspace for visually recording transactions at 21. it is contemplated thatthe surface of the window to receive the soluble ink impressions may begelatin-treated. If desired, the card 16 may carry .a source ofduplicatingink, such as a patch of duplicating carbon paper, removablyfixed thereto and adapted to be placed over the back of the window 17during the typing of the record. Such source of duplicating or solubleink can for example be carried by a removable sheet fixed to edge 20 ofthe card.

The transparent area may comprise an insert of cellophane, polyethylene,or other transparent material resistant to ink solvents. Preferably itis tough and resistant to cutting by typewriter type and remainsfluidimpermeable in use. Alternatively, the blank'and win dow may beintegral, the window comprising a proc essed portion of the blank. It isalso contemplated that the Window surface may be coated with aninsoluble material which takes the duplicating ink characters morereadily than some glossy materials.- A suitable material is a thincoating of a gelatin conventionally employed in connection withduplicating; systems of this general character.

My invention has been described with reference to the direct applicationof a record to a clear or base surface. It is also contemplated,however, that the system may be used for the dual purpose of applying alabel to a base and of adding characters to such label. To eifect this,the adhesive on the pre-coated label is soluble in the fluid which isalso a solvent for the duplicating ink characters on the master. .Thus,if an alcoholacetone mixture is used, the paper label may be precoatedvwith an adhesive such as shellac, which is sol- 4 uble inalcohol-acetone. Then when the label is moisten according to myinvention, the adhesive becomes tacky and the label adheres'to the basesurface. Simultaneously or successively the ink characters aretransferred to the label :as described hereinabove.

Thus, to simultaneously address and apply a label I dispose anadhesive-coated label on a base surface and moisten the clear surface ofthe label with a volatile solvent for the adhesive. A transparent sheetcarrying soluble characters in mirror script is disposed on themoistened label which may have an orientation or bench mark for aligningthe characters to 'be transferred. Likewise a bench mark on thetransparent sheet can be brought in register with a bench mark on thebase sheet. Pressure is then applied over the transparent sheet wherebythe label is fixed to the base surface and the record is transferred tothe label.

Another use for my invention is in conjunction with an amusement device.More specifically, mirror script characters may be printed induplicating ink, the color of which matches the color of themaster-sheet. Then only upon reproducing the unknown character will theoperator discover the nature of the character.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending applicationSerial No. 779,328, filed October 11, 1947, now abandoned.

From the above description, it is apparent that I have attained theobjects of my invention and have provided a novel master copy sheet andnovel method of keeping and reproducing records. It s-houldbeunderstood, however,'that modifications may be made in the illustratedand described embodiments by those skilled in the art without departingfrom the spirit of my invention as defined by the appended claims.

What Iclairn is:

l. The method of addressing and applying Labels which comprisesdisposing an adhesive-coated label on a base surface, moistening saidlabel on the clear surface thereof with a volatile solvent for saidadhesive, disposing on said moistened label a transparent sheet carryingsoluble characters in mirror script so that the char- :acters arepositive when viewed therethrough, and applyi'ng uniform pressure oversaid transparent sheet Whereby the label is fixed to the base surfaceand the record is transferred to the label.

2. The method of afiixing an adhesive-coated sheet and transferring arecord thereto which comprises disposing such sheet on a base surfaceWith the coating in contact with the base, moistening said sheet on theupper clear surface thereof with a volatile solvent for said adhesive,superposing on said moistened sheet a transparent 'hectograph maste-rcarrying a record in mirror script so that the record appears positivewhen viewed through said master, and applying pressure over said masterand sheet whereby the sheet is fixed to the base surface and the recordis transferred to the sheet.

3. The method of afiixing an adhesive-coated porous sheet to a basesurface and transferring a soluble ink record to said sheet whichcomprises disposing such sheet on a base surface with the coating incontact with said base, moistening the clear surface of said poroussheet with a volatile mutual solvent for said ink and adhesive coating,superposing on said moistened sheet a hectograph master carrying arecord in mirror script, and applying pressure over said master andsheet whereby the sheet is fixed to the base surface and the record istransferred to the sheet.

4. The system of sealing and applying indicia to fluidpermeable basesheet which comprises positioning an adhesive-coated base sheet on abase surface with the coated side in contact with the base surface,applying a solvent liquid to the uncoated surface of the base sheet,aligninga mirror script soluble ink transparent master copy on said basesheet, applying pressure over said base sheet, and simultaneouslytransferring indicia from the said mirror script soluble ink master copyto said uncoated surface of the base sheet and sealing the base sheet tothe base surface.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein the base sheet is a sealable envelopeflap.

6. The system of claim 4 wherein the base sheet is a label blank with abench mark thereon.

7. The system of claim 4 wherein the mirror script ink transparentmaster copy comprises a transparent window in an opaque card, saidmirror script being viewable in positive script when said copy isaligned on said base sheet.

8. The method of affixing a fluid-permeable sheet to a base surface andof transferring soluble ink indicia to said sheet from afluid-impervious transparent master which comprises the steps ofdisposing such sheet over such base surface with an adhesive layertherebetween, applying to the exposed surface of said sheet a volatilemutual solvent for said adhesive layer and for said ink, disposing saidfluid-impervious transparent master on said permeable sheet, andapplying pressure over said master, sheet, and layer, whereby the saidpermeable sheet is fixed to said base surface by said adhesive layer andthe soluble ink indicia are transferred to the said permeable sheet.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTSBaldwin Mar. 27, 1883 Post Dec. 11, 1900 Muller Sept. 17, 1901 BelknapSept. 15, 1908 Saltzmian Jan. 12, 1915 Barrett July 23, 1918 Hammer Nov.15, 1921 MacLaurin Apr. 25, 1922 Miller Feb. 6, 1923 Gottschalk Nov. 27,1923 Russel-l Dec. 25, 1923 Elliott Jan. 29, 1924 Ullom Oct. 18, 1927Tauschek Dec. 12, 1933 Tauschek Apr. 9, 1935 Foster Nov. 10, 1936 Lewiset al. May 31, 1938 George July 11, 1939 Wescott June 25, 1940 RandzioOct. 15, 1940 Walter Feb. 25, 1941 Lamb May 8, 1945 Singer Oct. 14, 1947Wassell Jan. 15, 1952

